Earth briefs

Wildlife biologist Martin Moses from the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory will speak about habitats of the greater Durango area, and what landowners can do to improve them, at 2 p.m. Saturday at For the Birds, 1560 East Second Ave.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Interpreter Janet Marie Clawson-Cano will discuss “Navajo Lake – Heart of the Dinetah” at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Visitors Center Conference Room. A PowerPoint presentation will include photographs of rock art panels that no longer exist and tell their stories.

Becky Gillette, director of the Weminuche Audubon Society, will discuss “The Birds of Navajo Lake” at 6 p.m. July 28 at the Visitors Center Conference Room. The program will be geared for beginning birders. There will be tips on how to get started, what to look for in the field and how to use a field guide.

An alpine wildflowers exploration will take place Saturday above Silverton. The group will meet in Durango at 6:30 a.m. to carpool. Participants with four-wheel-drive vehicles are asked to drive. Sun block, layers of clothing and rain gear are suggested. For more information and reservations, email johnbregar09@gmail.com or call 385-1814.

The annual trip to view wildflowers of the Bridal Veil Creek area above Telluride will be July 26. There will be time for questions about plants and wildflower photography. Participants should bring lunch, water, layers of clothing, and top and bottom rain gear. For more information and reservations, email cwcolter@hotmail.com or call (970) 728-4678.

Montezuma, Archuleta, San Miguel, La Plata and Dolores county farmers and ranchers may be eligible for low-interest emergency loans, provided eligibility requirements are met, to help cover losses sustained by drought.

Applications are due March 4, 2013.

For more information visit the Farm Service Agency at 628 West Fifth St. in Cortez or call (970) 565-8879, ext. 107.